Tiruneiru Vibhuti

Praying Lord Shiva as the 1st and foremost Great power is the religion named Saivams. In Savaism the habit of wearing holy ash and Ruththurakkam is very essential and compulsory. Holy Ash have very many names such as Vipoothy Pasitham, Pasumam, Radchai and Shaaram, Holy Ash is named as Vipoothy because of the reason that it bless those who wear the same with great wealth. It is named as Pasithiam because it gives brightness to life, it is called Pasumum because it burns all the sins of those who wear holy ash in to ashes if is named as Radchai for it protects and saucers all those who wear at with piety; last but not in the least holy ash is also called as Shauram because it destroys the sins of devotees wearing it is named as Shaaram holy Ash is by burning the cowdung of a healthy cow. Holy Ash is pure and white in colour the white holy as is suitable for wearing, because the colour “Whiteness” denotes purity nonwhite holy ash must hot be used using pure and white holy ash makes one pure both in body and mind.

There is a meaning behind this that is the cowdung denotes the souls the dirts in the cowdung denotes the Malangal that misguides the souls. The fire demotes Thiru Arul the burning action denotes that the appearance of Thiruarul and finally the white holy ash that we get at the end mean finally indicated the pure soul – all its sins removed by the action of burning.

Normally holy ash is worn in two ways as follows (1) Uththolanam (2) Thirupundaram. The 1st means the holy ash is applied on the forehead in a spreading way. The 2nd style is the holy as is mixed in little water and then applied in the form of three lines. Only those who understand Samaya Theedchai are tit to wear holy ash in the Thiripundaram style. Also one must see to the following strictly when he wears it in the 2nd way. In the Thiripundaram way the three lines of holy ash, must have equal space between the three lines and the lines must not be at all. This is very compulsory only the following parts of the body, holy sh can be worn in the form of three line, what is the Thiripundaram style. They are the top of the forehead, chest, knees, shoulders, wrists, elbows, back and neck.

When applying holy one must face either the East or North and also one must concentrate in praying to Lord Shia, and also one must be very careful not to drop even a pinch of the holy ash on the ground. In case of one drops a little of it on the floor, he must remove and immediately wash that spot. Also one must use the all the 3 middle fingers of the right hand.

The suitable times for applying holy ash and morning noon and evening, also before sunset, before going to bed (sleep) after tooth brushing, after bath, before and after meals and prayers before staring ones daily duly and before starting special performances etc.

One must keep the holy ash safely a in a vessels in which fresh flowers must be the month of that particular vessel must be covered with a neat and pure piece of cloth. A certain among if holy ash for daily, usage can be kept out in a separate case and rest of must be kept in the original vessel one must have high regard to Holy Ash. Always holy ash must be considered equal to Lord Shiva and the pure vessel which contains holy ash must be considered as a Sivan Temple.

In case if a Guru or Sivan Adiyaar give holy ash one must receive it with both hands praying the one who gives the same one must not wear Sandanam or Kunkum hiding the holy ash on the forehead Kumkum and Sandal can be worn under the holy ash one’s forehead with holy ash is compared to a graveyard. The following Vasagam explains the above truth “Neerilla Netti Paal”.

The Thiruneettupathikam by Gnanasambanthar explains the full importance and holiness of holy ash in details.

Holy Ash is the sign of the Great God Shiva who is free from Malam in this the so-called Malam is burnt by the Gnanam which is described Gnana Agni wearing holy ash in the blessings of Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Shiva Holy and Sastra books say that Mukkthipeeru and Shivagnanam can be attained by wearing holy ash constantly says all religious publication. The following are some of the Thirugnanasambandar “Mukkthy Tharvathu Neeru”, “Pootham Tharuvathu Neeru” , “Siththy Tharvathu Neeru”. “Suntharamavathu Neeru”, “Thesam Pukalvathu Neeru”.

When one applies holy ash that part of his holy is considered as Sivalingham says holy books.